54 FODDER AND PASTURE PLANTS. 



YELLOW OAT GRASS (Trisetum flavescens (L.) Beauv.) 



Plate 6; Seed, Plate 26, Fig. 11. 



Other English names: Yellow False Oat, Golden Oat Grass. 



Botanical description: Yellow Oat Grass is perennial with a 

 short rootstock forming loose tufts. The stems are from one to two 

 feet high, very slender, and leafy to about the middle. Secondary 

 shoots develop from the base of the stems. They sprout from buds 

 within sheaths of old leaves and are at first enclosed by them. In 

 the development of the shoots the old sheaths burst, and thus the 

 base of the stems becomes surrounded by the ragged remnants of 

 brown old sheaths. The secondary shoots produce quite a number 

 of leaves. These, like those of the stems, are very soft in texture 

 and covered with soft hairs. Their sheaths, as a rule, are also hairy. 

 The flowers are arranged in a panicle, pyramidal in shape and with 

 spreading branches during flowering time. After flowering, the 

 branches turn upwards and the panicle thus becomes contracted and 

 narrow. The numerous spikelets are green at first, but toward 

 flowering time they turn a beautiful golden yellow — hence the name 

 of the grass. After flowering they assume a duller, yellowish-brown 

 shade. The spikelets contain three flowers, each of which is enclosed 

 by two glumes. The outer glume bears on its back a delicate, 

 somewhat bent and twisted awn. The fertilization is accomplished 

 as in Tall Oat Grass. 



Geographical distribution: Yellow Oat Grass is indigenous 

 to Europe, northern Africa and the temperate parts of Asia. It has 

 been introduced into North America. It has been recorded only 

 once as growing wild in Canada. 



Habitat: It grows naturally in somewhat dry meadows, along 

 roadsides, on the slopes and even summits of mountains, and in 

 mountain valleys. 



Cultural conditions: Yellow Oat Grass is not fastidious about 

 the soil, provided that other conditions are favourable. Although it 

 stands some drought, it makes poor growth where the ground is too 

 dry. It likes a fairly moist soil, rich in organic matter and lime. 

 It is more sensitive to excessive moisture than to drought, stagnant 

 water having always an injurious effect. 



